Post by Michael on Feb 16, 2013 17:59:05 GMT -5
(Placed in our Archives by Michael for Rab)
Ransom Recap
I prefer to look at the ransom notes in terms of what was going on at the time. What is clear - at least to me - from all this is that the kidnapper(s) were waiting for Lindbergh to cave in, which he finally did after the ninth ransom note threatened to raise the ransom to $100k. It was only when the ad included, without qualification, the words requested in the March 16th note "I accept. Money is ready" that the kidnapper(s) proceeded to arrange the April 2nd handover.
Looking at the following timeline it seems to me that there is actually a battle of wills going on with the kidnapper(s) forcing Lindbergh to agree to part with the ransom without seeing the child first. Though Condon often claimed that it was he who was insistent on a COD transaction, the report of Special Agent Wilson puts this decision firmly at Lindbergh's door. So consider this and see how much is actually delaying and how much is just trying to bend the will of the other. Remember also that CJ went to meet Condon on March 12th fully expecting to get the money. And was essentially tricked by the message placed in the paper beforehand. That would have made the kidnapper(s) doubly sure next time a meeting was planned.
March 1st - Nursery note.
March 4th - Second ransom note mailed. "…we will hold the baby until everything is quiet…until the police is out and the pappers are quiet."
March 5th - Second ransom note received.
March 7th - Third ransom note mailed. "We will note accept any go-between from your send. We will arrangh thiss latter…but not befor the police is out of this cace and the pappers are quiet."
March 8th - Third ransom note received. Condon's letter published in the BHN.
March 9th - Ad placed in New York American by Breckinridge: "Letter received at new address. Will follow your instructions. I also received letter mailed to me March 4th and was ready since then. Please hurry on account of mother. Address me to the address you mentioned in your letter. Father." Fourth ransom note mailed to Condon and received that day. Orders that once Condon has the money from Lindbergh, he should place the words "Mony is redy" in the New York American.
March 11th - Ad published by Condon in BHN and New York American: "Money is ready. Jafsie."
March 12th - Ad of March 11th repeated. Fifth ransom note received from Perrone and Condon meets CJ. "Have you gottit the money?".
March 13th - Condon publishes ad in BHN "Baby alive and well. Money is ready. Call and see us. Jafsie."
March 14th - March 13th ad repeated in New York American and a new ad published in the BHN "Money is ready. No cops. No secret service. No press. I go alone like last time. Please call. Jafsie."
March 15th - March 14th ad repeated in BHN, March 11th ad repeated in New York American.
March 16th - March 11th ad repeated in the New York American. New ad in the BHN "I accept. Money is ready. You know they won't let me deliver without package. Please make some sort of C.O.D transaction. You know you can trust Jafsie." Seventh ransom note received with sleeping suit which says "…circumstance will note allow us to make a transfare licke you wish. It is imposibly for us….You are willing to pay the 70000…without seeing the baby first or note…We can't do it other ways…If you are willing to accept this deal put those in the paper I accept mony is redy…"
March 17th - Condon places ad saying "Money is ready. No cops. No secret service. I come like last time. Alone. Please call Jafsie."
March 18th - Ad of 3/17 repeated. Another (unsigned) ad also placed in BHN: "I accept. Money is ready. John your package is delivered and O.K. Direct me."
March 19th - Eight ransom note mailed. "You and Mr Lindbergh know ouer Program. If you don't accept den we wait untill you agree with ouer Deal, we know you have to come to us anyway…WE WILL NOTE COMMUNICATE WITH YOU OR MR LINDBERGH UNTIL YOU WRITE SO IN THE PAPER." [mycaps]
March 20th - Another ad: "Notify me how I can get letter to you. Urgent. Jafsie."
March 21st - Ad of 3/20 repeated. Eight ransom note received.
March 22nd - Ad which included: "…Over 50 years in business, and can I pay without seeing goods?…Please understand my position."
March 23rd - 3/22 ad repeated.
March 24th - 3/22 ad repeated.
March 25th - 3/22 ad repeated.
March 26th - New ad: "Money is ready. Furnish simple code for us to follow in paper. Jafsie."
March 27th - 3/26 ad repeated.
March 28th - 3/26 ad repeated.
March 29th - Ninth ransom note mailed. "It is note necessary to furnish any code. You and Mr. Lindbergh know ouer Program very well…if the deal is note closed until the 8 of April we will ask for 30000 more…if Mr. Lindbergh likes to fool around for another month - we can help it…"
March 30th - Ninth ransom note received.
March 31st -New ad: "I hereby accept. Money is ready. Jafsie."
And this final capitulation by Lindbergh, agreeing finally to pay the money without seeing the child, results in the ransom handover on April 2nd.
Contact: lindberghkidnap.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=viewprofile&user=rab